Calif worker safety board to consider mandating condoms for porn actors to curb spread of STDs

Safety board to weigh requiring condoms in porn

LOS ANGELES – Condoms might be the only thing porn actors are required to wear if the state’s workplace safety board approves a petition mandating their use.
In a hearing Thursday, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board will hear testimony from the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation. …. Original article  : Calif worker safety board to consider mandating condoms for porn actors to curb spread of STDs.

Calif. state parks would be smoke-free (mostly) if Legislature passes landmark bill

Calif. considers smoking ban at all state parks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California lawmakers are considering what is believed to be the nation’s most far-reaching smoking ban in state parks.
Under a bill being considered Thursday, smoking would be prohibited at state beaches and all other state parks.
Maine banned smoking at its state beaches last year. But groups …. Original article  : Calif. state parks would be smoke-free (mostly) if Legislature passes landmark bill.

South China drought worsens, threatening crops and livestock

South China drought worsens, threatening crops

BEIJING – Parts of southern China are suffering from the worst drought in decades, leaving millions of people with inadequate water and huge areas of farmland too dry to plant, state media reported Thursday.
The drought in the provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan, as well as the Guangxi Autonomous Region …. Read the original article  : here.

President Obama, Bret Baier face-off on Fox News

On Wednesday night, Fox news aired an exclusive interview of president Obama. The interview was hosted by Bret Baier. Since he became president, Obama has given many interviews to several media channels, but yesterday’s interview would be considered as an exceptional one. The host Bret Baier made a distinguishable approach towards Obama. Bret was aggressive, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : President Obama, Bret Baier face-off on Fox News.

Health care politics served up Southern-style, causing heartburn for moderate Democrats

A Southern-style taste of health care politics
COLUMBUS, Miss. – It may not bode well for Rep. Travis Childers that many voters in his rural Mississippi district have stronger opinions about President Barack Obama’s health care plan than they do about the Democratic congressman.
Regardless of how Childers votes, the legislation is threatening to swamp … Original source on Gaea Times at : Health care politics served up Southern-style, causing heartburn for moderate Democrats.

Clinton joins top diplomats for talks on Mideast peace, separate arms talks with Russia

Clinton in Moscow for Mideast, nuclear arms talks

MOSCOW – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday opened two days of talks with Russian leaders on nuclear arms control and other security issues, and separately with top international diplomats on the outlook for bringing Israel and the Palestinians back to peace talks.
Clinton arrived in …. Source  : Clinton joins top diplomats for talks on Mideast peace, separate arms talks with Russia.

Obama returns to campaign-style politics as he visits some Dems and stays away from others

Obama back to campaign-style politics, a strength
WASHINGTON – After a rousing campaign rally for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine last summer, President Barack Obama flashed a broad smile to an aide as he boarded his helicopter back to the White House.
“That was the most fun I’ve had in a while,” he …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Obama returns to campaign-style politics as he visits some Dems and stays away from others.

President Barack Obama On Fox

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- Yesterday, president Barack Obama appeared on Fox Network for an interview and it was watched by the viewers with attention. The event was important as the president was supposed to cover certain important political topics and also owing to the fact that he is not with very friendly terms with the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : President Barack Obama On Fox.

Ambanis’ money manager set to become Pak Finance Minister

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani may soon appoint former PML-Q leader, and one-time Musharraf loyalist Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat as the country’s finance minister.

According to talks doing the rounds in Pakistan, Hayat is expected to take oath within the next 48 hours, as he has already had separate talks both Gilani …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Clinton in Moscow for talks on new nuclear arms treaty, restarting Mideast peace process

Clinton in Moscow for talks on arms pact, Mideast

MOSCOW – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is in Moscow to meet with senior Russian officials and to join top international diplomats in assessing the stalled Mideast peace process.
Clinton arrived in the Russian capital Thursday morning after an overnight flight from Washington. She is to …. Read the original article  : Clinton in Moscow for talks on new nuclear arms treaty, restarting Mideast peace process.

Goodnight, John-Boy: Hit by downturn, more multigenerational families living under same roof

More multigenerational families living together

WASHINGTON – Goodnight, John-Boy: Driven partly by job losses, more multigenerational families are choosing to live together as “boomerang kids” flock home and people help care for grandchildren or aging parents.
About 6.6 million U.S. households in 2009 had at least three generations of family members, an increase of 30 percent since … Read more : Goodnight, John-Boy: Hit by downturn, more multigenerational families living under same roof.

Thai anti-government protesters to wage “class war” after 4 days of demonstrations

Thailand: Red Shirt protesters vow “class war”

BANGKOK – Thousands of demonstrators remained encamped in the historic heart of the Thai capital Thursday, vowing to stir up a “class war” until the government is ousted.
A 2,000-vehicle protest rally through the streets of Bangkok was planned for Saturday, but Thursday appeared to be a rest day after …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

NY senator sworn in to replace predecessor expelled over conviction for roughing up girlfriend

NY senator sworn in, replaces expelled predecessor

ALBANY, N.Y. – The New York state Senate’s newest member has taken office, ending a lengthy saga in the chamber after his expelled predecessor was convicted of assault.
Democratic Sen. Jose Peralta replaces Hiram Monserrate (HY’-ruhm mahn-suh-RAHT’).
Senators expelled Monserrate in February after he received a misdemeanor conviction for dragging his … Read more »».

US appoints Spanish actor Antonio Banderas as Goodwill Ambassador for anti-poverty fight

Antonio Banderas appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador

UNITED NATIONS – Spanish actor Antonio Banderas has been named a U.N. Goodwill Ambassador for the fight against poverty, the United Nations Development Program announced Wednesday.
In his new role as an advocate for the poor, Antonio Banderas will set his sights on the Millennium Development Goals, a set of eight …. Read the original article  : US appoints Spanish actor Antonio Banderas as Goodwill Ambassador for anti-poverty fight.

Obama spars with Fox News anchor, talks benefits of health care overhaul

Obama appears on Fox News, long White House target
WASHINGTON – After weeks of the White House belittling Fox News, President Barack Obama has appeared on the cable network to sell his embattled health care overhaul.
During an interview Wednesday punctuated with interruptions and chiding, Obama defended his health care plan and the process by … Original source on Gaea Times at : Obama spars with Fox News anchor, talks benefits of health care overhaul.

Idaho Supreme Court says no new trials needed for 6 death row inmates sentenced by judge

Idaho high court: No new trials for 6 on death row

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Supreme Court has denied requests from six death row inmates who said they were entitled to new trials because a U.S. Supreme Court ruling after their convictions called on juries, not judges, to impose the death penalty.
All the inmates argued … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Idaho Supreme Court says no new trials needed for 6 death row inmates sentenced by judge.

State Department denies deal to block Armenian genocide resolution opposed by Turkey

State Dept.: No deal to stop genocide resolution

WASHINGTON – A congressional resolution that would recognize World War I-era killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide could go forward despite opposition from the Obama administration.
Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon told reporters there is no deal with Democratic congressional leaders to block the resolution. That …. Read the original article  : State Department denies deal to block Armenian genocide resolution opposed by Turkey.

Granholm’s ‘Meatout Day’ angers Michigan farm groups; governor seeks to soothe tensions

Granholm’s ‘Meatout Day’ angers Michigan farmers

LANSING, Mich. – Some Michigan agriculture organizations have a beef with Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm over her proclamation encouraging residents to not eat meat for a day.
Granholm declared this coming Saturday “Meatout Day” in Michigan earlier this month. Her proclamation encourages residents to choose not to eat meat in observance … Read : Granholm’s ‘Meatout Day’ angers Michigan farm groups; governor seeks to soothe tensions.

Group: Idaho first to sign law that would sue federal government over health care reform

Idaho first to sign law against health care reform
BOISE, Idaho – Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter on Wednesday became the first state chief executive to sign a measure requiring his attorney general to sue Congress if it passes health reforms that force residents to buy insurance. Similar …. Read the original article  : Group: Idaho first to sign law that would sue federal government over health care reform.

VA’s IG: Medical centers taking too long to provide disability exams for veterans

IG: Vets waiting too long to give disability exams

WASHINGTON – The internal watchdog for the Veterans Affairs Department says VA medical centers need to give compensation and pension medical exams to veterans sooner in order to expedite disability claims.
It says some veterans wait months longer than necessary for disability claims because getting the exams takes …. Source  : VA’s IG: Medical centers taking too long to provide disability exams for veterans.